MSNIM Malware

Discussion in 'Malware Help (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by g-man99, Nov 17, 2009.

  1. g-man99

    g-man99 Private E-2

    Every once in a while, MSN IM just pops up in my active task bar in my lower right hand corner. The odd thing about this is is that I don't launch it. As a matter of fact, I've disabled it in msconfig and whenever it pops up in that task area, I exit it out. Eventually, I notice it pops right on up again after a certain amount of time. Is this a virus/malware and if so, what is it? I'm asuming it is but I don't know what it could be or ANYTHING about it. I ran a couple different anti virus proggies and it didn't find anything. It just seems so suspicious. Thank you for your help, people.
     
  2. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Welcome to Major Geeks!

    MSN Messenger is not a topic for the Malware Forum. And you did not disable it using MSconfig. You only told it not run at startup which does not prevent it from running at a later time due to something else you run like Outlook for one example. You should discuss it in the Software Forum. However perhaps you are really referring to Windows Messenger which is an old outdated version not used anymore. Doing the below will remove Windows Messenger:

    Run this Disable/Remove Windows Messenger to remove Windows Messenger. Do not confuse Windows Messenger with MSN Messenger because they are not the same. Windows Messenger is a frequent cause of popups.
     
  3. g-man99

    g-man99 Private E-2

    I put it in THIS forum because the problem looks like a virus/malware. I don't use outlook although I don't know what that has anything to do with it. I don't personally start msn IM up and it doesn't seem to start when I start the machine....just randomly it starts....hence it sounds like a MALWARE to me.
     
  4. chaslang

    chaslang MajorGeeks Admin - Master Malware Expert Staff Member

    Outlook and some other programs will automatically load the instant messenger when started.

    Did you run the Windows Messenger Removal too I gave you? If not then run it. If you have and still have a problem then run the below so we can check for malware but do not that MSN Messenger and also the newer Windows Live Messenger are not considered malware and any problems related to them would be issues for the Software Forum.


    Please read ALL of this message including the notes before doing anything.

    Please follow the instructions in the below link:


    READ & RUN ME FIRST. Malware Removal Guide


    and attach the requested logs when you finish these instructions.
    • **** If something does not run, write down the info to explain to us later but keep on going. ****
    • Do not assume that because one step does not work that they all will not. MGtools will frequently run even when all other tools will not.

    • After completing the READ & RUN ME and attaching your logs, make sure that you tell us what problems still remain ( if any still do )!
    Helpful Notes:

    1. If you run into problems trying to run the READ & RUN ME or any of the scans in normal boot mode, you can run the steps in safe boot mode but make sure you tell us what you did later when you post logs. See the below if you do not know how to boot in safe mode:
    2. If you have problems downloading on the problem PC, download the tools and the manual updates for SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes ( links are given in the READ & RUN ME) onto another PC and then burn to a CD. Then copy them to the problem PC. You will have to skip getting updates if (and only if) your internet connection does not work. Yes you could use a flash drive too but flash drives are writeable and infections can spread to them.
    3. If you cannot seem to login to an infected user account, try using a different user account (if you have one) in either normal or safe boot mode and running only SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes while logged into this other user account. Then reboot and see if you can log into the problem user account. If you can then run SUPERAntiSpyware, Malwarebytes, ComboFix and MGtools on the infected account as requested in the instructions.
    4. To avoid additional delay in getting a response, it is strongly advised that after completing the READ & RUN ME you also read this sticky:
    Any additional post is a bump which will add more delay. Once you attach the logs, your thread will be in the work queue and as stated our system works the oldest threads FIRST.
     

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